First reading 1 Maccabees 2:15-29
‘Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its ordinances’
The commissioners of King Antiochus who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them sacrifice. Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart. The king’s commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows, ‘You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you. Be the first to step forward and conform to the king’s decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem; you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King, you and your sons shall be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.’ Raising his voice, Mattathias retorted, ‘Even if every nation living in the king’s dominions obeys him, each forsaking its ancestral religion to conform to his decrees, I, my sons and my brothers will still follow the covenant of our ancestors. Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its observances. As for the king’s orders, we will not follow them: we will not swerve from our own religion either to right or to left.’ As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein as the royal edict required. When Mattathias saw this, he was fired with zeal; stirred to the depth of his being, he gave vent to his legitimate anger, threw himself on the man and slaughtered him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and tore down the altar. In his zeal for the Law he acted as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu. Then Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town.
At this, many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.
Responsorial Psalm 49(50):1-2,5-6,14-15
I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
The God of gods, the Lord,
has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion’s perfect beauty he shines.
I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
‘Summon before me my people
who made covenant with me by sacrifice.’
The heavens proclaim his justice,
for he, God, is the judge.
I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God
and render him your votive offerings.
Call on me in the day of distress.
I will free you and you shall honour me.’
I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
Gospel Luke 19:41-44
Jesus sheds tears over the coming fate of Jerusalem
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’
_____________________________
Walk with trust
We can identify with the disciples’ fear as they battled with the fierce storm and rough waves. We are scared of many things, for example, sickness, being dependent on others, failure, death, etc. Yet, like them, we find comfort in the gentle voice of Jesus telling us, “Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid”. Let us believe that Jesus is with us in the storms and find our peace in Him.
Peter told Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water”. Jesus said, “Come”. Peter then left the security of the boat and stepped out onto the waves and started to walk to Jesus. However, he began to sink when he looked at the strong wind surrounding him. At that moment, when Peter started to sink, Jesus reached out at once and held him. Likewise, Jesus is by our side, waiting to hold onto us when we begin to sink with fear and anxiety. Let us never lose sight of Jesus and trust that He is always near us, ready to reach out to us and offer us His guidance and support.
Question for reflection:
In this time of prayer, what is Jesus’ personal word to me?
In this time of prayer, what is Jesus’ personal word to me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr. Sandra Seow FMVD.
